BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
 Pages:  1  2
Author: Subject: 6 Foot wide Trailer on Baja roads.
David K
Honored Nomad
*********


Avatar


Posts: 64865
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline

Mood: Have Baja Fever

[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 09:02 AM


"Better late than never" (my mom used to say)!

[Edited on 2-15-2021 by David K]

jrbaja 19ft..jpg - 26kB




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Mulege Canuck
Nomad
**




Posts: 387
Registered: 11-27-2016
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 09:21 AM


Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I do a lot of back roads, and have the pin stripes on my Trooper to prove it. I would hate to see what an eight foot trailer would look like after one of my trips!

Wheel placement is another issue that would get complicated with a wide wheelbase camp trailer. I would stick with one that is close to what your tow vehicle is.

I have made several trips pulling a utility trailer full of gear behind a 2 door Kia Sportage with no problems. Oversize, low pressure tires give the trailer a soft ride as well as good clearance!


My Bigfoot camper is 8’6” wide. We head up in the mountains a lot and I have to brush out the roads in a lot of sections. I used a machete at first but it was tough to get overhanging tree limbs that would tear the camper apart. I bought an electric pole saw. That thing is a game changer. In no time I can brush out dense sections of the road and be on my way.

On the highway my worst part for me, is just after we leave the 5 and get back on Mex 1 heading south. That old section of road is narrow! I slow right down and crawl past the first semi until the road gets a little better further south. Drive slow and be ready for washed out road shoulders and deep pot holes at every corner. Stressful, but so worth it! Man I miss Baja.



View user's profile
JZ
Select Nomad
*******


Avatar


Posts: 10651
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 12:16 PM


Can you link the saw you have? Curious to check it out.




See Baja California in 4K: https://youtu.be/4VNTIhRa6q0

Ever wanted to camp on a deserted island in the Sea of Cortez? https://youtu.be/g3ThXCm3XSA

Come along for a ride of the famous Seven Sisters https://youtu.be/hrdzmTWPUQs



View user's profile
bajarich
Nomad
**




Posts: 464
Registered: 1-13-2005
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 08:40 PM


Yes the road is narrow and dangerous. I have driven Hwy 1 for 28 years and it finally bit me 3 years ago when I took a corner at 60 that I should have taken at 55 (just south of Chapala), I swung wide and pulled it back and dropped the right front tire off the edge of the pavement. I then had to wrestle the truck to a stop after having it cross the pavement 2 or three more times with my FourWheel camper on it. I looked in the mirror and saw my offroad trailer fly open and scatter all of it's contents all over the road. It turned out that it had rolled, but was still on the articulated off road hitch. I know it rolled because the chains were wrapped completely around the tongue. Had I not had that hitch, I believe the trailer would have pulled the truck off the road.

It landed on it's wheels and had one bent wheel that I replaced and was able to drive home with my spare. I loaded everything back up that I could fit it and strapped the lid down. Needless to say, the trailer ended up being totaled.

I had pulled trailers to Baja since 2002 starting with a boat trailer, and for 3 years our Casita (6'8" wide) before buying the camper and off-road trailer. Were it not for my wanting to have some kind of boat down there (more than my kayak), I don't think I would haul a trailer. The road is too rough on them. I think the high c/g of my off road trailer may have contributed to the rollover, athough the driving mistake was mine.

After 3 trips with our Casita I had to have the frame straightened, even though we never drove it over 10-15 mph on the 10 mile stretch of dirt between La Ribira and Los Frailes. I think that was caused by hitting unmarked topes at speed.
View user's profile
bajarich
Nomad
**




Posts: 464
Registered: 1-13-2005
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 08:44 PM


BTW is the op still around?
View user's profile
JZ
Select Nomad
*******


Avatar


Posts: 10651
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 08:51 PM


Good story, pretty scary. We carry the bikes on a carrier to avoid having to have a trailer.

I wouldn't be afraid to tow something here and there. But would never do it regularly. To dangerous and too much stress.






See Baja California in 4K: https://youtu.be/4VNTIhRa6q0

Ever wanted to camp on a deserted island in the Sea of Cortez? https://youtu.be/g3ThXCm3XSA

Come along for a ride of the famous Seven Sisters https://youtu.be/hrdzmTWPUQs



View user's profile
Mulege Canuck
Nomad
**




Posts: 387
Registered: 11-27-2016
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-15-2021 at 09:10 PM


Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Can you link the saw you have? Curious to check it out.


https://www.amazon.ca/Sun-Joe-SWJ800E-Telescoping-Lubricatio...

This is a similar model. Mine is a Royobi. I plug it in to the inverter on my truck camper. A chord less battery powered model would work too. I break it down into two pieces and store it behind the backseat of the truck. We have to brush out roads all the time for the camper, this just makes it a lot faster.
View user's profile
pacificobob
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-16-2021 at 07:45 AM


i tow on the length of hwy 1 often. never scratched anything. i just go a bit slower than some.
View user's profile
PaulW
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 3078
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 2-16-2021 at 07:57 AM


Attention span varies for each person and is exacerbated by long stretches of concentration. Yup, it can be scary when a wheel drops of the pavement. And luck if no damage to stuff or your life.

Narrow trailer the same width as the tow vehicle sure helps.
View user's profile
 Pages:  1  2

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262